Para Rowers as Flagbearers at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony

World Rowing was very pleased to see three para rowers as flagbearers at last night’s Opening Ceremony ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Asiya Muhammed Sururu, who will race in the PR1 women’s single sculls carried the flag for Kenya, and said;

“The experience was amazing, absolutely magnifique, everything was beyond beautiful and so many people came out late at night just to see the Paralympians. It felt real, we were living the moment, and the people were out there just for us. It means that there is more awareness of the Paralympic Games.”

Double Paralympic and three-times World Champion in the men’s single sculls (2016 and 2020), Roman Polianskyi, was the flagbearer for Ukraine.

Ali Alzieny was the flagbearer for Egypt. He will race in the PR3 mixed double sculls alongside Marwa Abdelaal, the first time this boat class has been included at the Paralympic Regatta.

“I am feeling very happy and proud to be chosen as the flag bearer for Egypt. I feel great happiness and hope for my first ever Paralympics.”

In the days ahead of the Ceremony, the Paralympic flame made its way from Stoke Mandeville, UK, the birthplace of the Paralympic Games where it was lit by British Paralympian, Helene Raynsford, who was the first ever winner of a Paralympic rowing medal when she won gold in the ASW1x in Beijing 2008.

Helene said;

“I am completely blown away and feel humbled to be lighting the Paralympic Flame at the birthplace of the Paralympic Games!”

Oksana Masters was one of the torchbearers during the Paralympic Opening Ceremony. Masters raced for the USA in the TA Mixed double sculls at the 2012 Paralympic Games where she won bronze, and the 2013 World Rowing Championships where she finished fourth in that same boat class.

Handout image supplied by OIS/IOC